BRASILIA,  (Xinhua) -- Brazil's government has distributed 14.2 million surgical masks nationwide as part of its efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Monday.

In addition, the government sent 24 million gloves for non-surgical procedures, 742,000 hospital scrubs, 60,000 goggles and 168,000 bottles of rubbing alcohol, among other protective items and disinfectants needed by the medical sector.

Most of the supplies went to Sao Paulo, the epicenter of the outbreak in Brazil.

According to the ministry, the government will continue to acquire more protective gear to ensure supplies, as the World Health Organization recently warned that a shortage of masks and other items endangered medical personnel and the battle against COVID-19.

Brazil has so far reported 4,579 confirmed cases of the virus, which can lead to pneumonia, and 159 deaths from the disease.  ■